Shawls are a great clothing item to buy during the winter season. Not only the keep your body warm but it also complements your fashion style. Shawls can be worn by both men and women, and they cover most of the upper part of your body so you are safe from the chilling cold. As winter is approaching, a shawl is a must-have clothing item.
Thanks to the rich culture of India, there are different types of shawls available that have been carried out as a legacy by different culture each with their history behind them. If you are looking for some good shawls in the market but don’t know which one to go for then we are here to help you with that. This article will list some shawls that can be worn by both men and women.
Best Shawls for Both Men and Women This Winter Season
India has many shawl types available, such as Pashmina shawl, Kani shawl, Jamwar, Shawl, etc. Given below is the list of shawls that both men and women can wear in winter and can also be used for gifting purposes on some occasions-
1. Pashmina Shawl
Beauty and the authenticity of the artisans remain unbeaten when it comes to Pashmina Shawl. Pashmina Shawls are not only worn as winter clothing items but also as a fashion accessory. These shawls are known for the history they carry around with them. Pashmina shawls are made from Pashmina wool which can protect you even from chilly temperatures.
The designs and the artwork done on the shawls not only look elegant but last long. They are handmade by weavers and craftsmen which makes them a luxurious clothing item to own for winter. When buying Pashminas, ensure they are pure Pashmina shawls without any other fabric mixed with them. One thing to note is that, the cost of pure pashmina shawls will be a bit on the expensive side, and if anybody claims to be selling them for a lower price then probably they are not pure.
2. Kashmiri Embroidered Shawl
Kashmiri Embroidered shawls are another type of shawl that both men and women can wear during the winter. These types of shawls originate from Kashmir and are versatile. They can be worn over traditional outfits as well as western outfits, and no matter what it will complement the look of your attire. The next thing that makes them a worthy buy is the material used. Kashmiri embroidered shawls are mostly made of Kashmiri wool (or the Pashmina wool) or from the silk.
These embroidered shawls are handmade; the embroidery or embellishment on them is done manually by the craftsman and not by the machine. Due to this, it often takes time for the craftsman to make one shawl. There are different types of embroidery done on Kashmiri shawls, because of which the cost of Kashmiri shawls can vary for different embroidery.
3. Kani Shawl
Kani shawl is a type of Kashmiri shawl or the Pashmina shawl which is made from the same Pashmina wool. But what makes the Kani shawl different is the weaving technique. The shuttle is used for the weaving process of Pashmina shawls, but Kani Shawls are made using needles. The needles used for making Kani shawls are made from wood or cane.
Kani shawls are a luxurious accessory because of the time taken to make one shawl. Not only this, but Kani shawls are the most expensive ones among the other shawls. The price of a Kani shawl starts from around $1200 and can go up to $3000 and even more depending on the complexity of the design, time taken, and material used for making them.
4. Jamawar Shawl
Another type of shawl that you can have to protect yourself from the winter is the Jamawar Shawl. Jamawar originates from Kashmir and is a special type of shawl that is made using Pashminas and sometimes with a blend of Pashmina and silk. These shawls are popular in Himalayan regions; they are mostly produced in Kashmir and some parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Jamawar shawls come in various designs and are known for their vibrant colors and the pattern made on them. Handmade Jamawars are not only a statement fashion piece, but a clothing item that can be carried on for generations. You can find machine-made Jamawars in the market as well, which will be priced much lower when compared to the hand-made Jamawar shawls.
5. Woolen Shawls
Woolen shawls are another type of shawl that can be bought in different regions of India. These shawls are easily available and are ideal for wearing in cold temperatures. Woolen shawls are made of wool, but sometimes you can find them with a blend of wool and other fibers.
Woolen shawls come in different designs and patterns and can be worn with almost every type of outfit. Whether you are wearing something casual, traditional, or a formal outfit, a woolen shawl will blend with each one of them.
Things to Take Care of When Buying a Shawl
A shawl is a versatile clothing item that can be worn to protect against the chilly winters as well as work as a fashion accessory to compliment every outfit. There are a few things that one must take care of when buying a shawl, such as
- Check the material used for making the shawl. If you are buying a Kashmiri shawl it will be made of pashmina or a mixture of pashmina and silk. Check whether the shawl is made of pure material or some mixture.
- Also, ensure the shawl is long and wide enough to fit cover you. The size of the shawl can vary with different shapes, so you must take care of them. It will be easier to check the shawls when buying them offline as you can try the shawl on you and check the fit.
- Ensure the colors and patterns on the shawls complement each other. This depends on the personal preference of the individual, so you should get patterns and colors that complement your style and the outfit you generally wear.
- Shawls are either made manually by hand or by using machines. Hand-made shawls are a luxury and more expensive than the machine-made shawl. Before buying a shawl check whether they are hand-made or machine-made.
- If you are buying the shawl in the local offline market then check for the authenticity of the shawl. When buying it online, ensure that the shawl comes from a well-reputed brand.
Conclusion
Shawls are a must-buy during the winter season for both men and women. We have listed all the shawls that you can buy for this season. Among all the shawls, our personal suggestion would be to go for a pure pashmina shawl if you are looking for ethnicity with luxury.
